The famed GOP debate coach who worked with John McCain in 2008, and counseled Michele Bachman and Mitt Romney during the 2012 primaries, has signed on as an adviser to Ken Cuccinelli's campaign for governor of Virginia.

Brett O'Donnell, the former debate director at Virginia's Christian conservative Liberty University, worked with Cuccinelli ahead of the first gubernatorial debate on Saturday, sources said.

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O'Donnell confirmed the move by email, writing: "Yes, I have joined team Cuccinelli."

Senior Cuccinelli strategist Chris LaCivita said O'Donnell had quietly come on board in May, calling him a valued member of a "top notch team" that also now includes Danny Diaz of FP1 Strategies, who was at the debate site this weekend.

Cuccinelli, the sitting state attorney general, has been viewed as a formidable head-to-head debater. The debut debate between him and former Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe did not produce a rout for either side.

O'Donnell was credited last year with helping Romney prepare for a powerful debate win against Newt Gingrich, but did not join the Romney team full time amid tensions over the parceling-out of credit for Romney's performance.

It is unclear how many debates will ultimately take place in the Virginia race. McAuliffe has agreed to five, including one this weekend and another, co-hosted by the League of Women voters and the AARP, that Cuccinelli has declined to participate on.

The Republican has called for as many as 15 debates, and hopes to gain a decisive upper hand over McAuliffe in a future encounter.